Willits and Brooktrails water reservoirs are topped off and ready for the summer months.

Brooktrails Township Manager Denise Rose reported Tuesday both Brooktrails reservoirs were at 100 percent of capacity. Willits interim City Manager Adrienne Moore reported Wednesday flash boards were installed in Centennial Reservoir on April 1, and due to the recent rains, the water supply was at 100 percent of capacity.

When Willits reservoirs are filled, they hold about a two-year supply of water. Brooktrails reservoirs hold about a one-year supply.

The positive news comes despite one of the driest January-through-March periods in the area's history. During the first three months this year 6.04 inches of rain fell, compared with the 100-year average rainfall of 25.29 inches. Fortunately for area water managers, 2.16 inches of rain has already fallen in April compared to the normal 3.14 inches for the month.

Willits is particularly reliant on rains falling after April 1. The California Division of Safety of Dams prohibits installation of flash boards in Centennial dam's spillway until April 1, when the threat of heavy winter storms has passed.

Centennial is one of two Willits water reservoirs. It's an earthen dam, and state engineers are concerned it could be damaged if flash boards blocked the spillway during a major storm. The reservoir capacity increases by nearly 10 percent when the flash boards are finally installed.

Morris is the other Willits water reservoir. It is a concrete dam and is permitted to have flash boards in place year 'round.

Brooktrails' Lake Emily no longer uses flash boards; an inflatable spillway gate was installed in 2008. The inflatable gate allows Brooktrails' water managers to fill the reservoir to capacity during the height of the storm season and no longer rely on late rains.

Brooktrails can deflate the spillway dam and lower the lake water level as needed should a major storm be forecast.

Lake Emily is the main water supply for Brooktrails.

Willits Water and Sewer Manager JC England told the city council his crews have begun the annual waterline flush program while its reservoirs are spilling over. The flushing is needed to remove sediment that has accumulated in the nooks and crannies of the pipes.

Willits customers may experience a drop in pressure along with discoloration of their water for short periods in the areas being flushed.

Although the water may be brownish, it is safe to drink, said city officials. However, care should be taken in washing clothes-particularly whites, which may be stained.

City utility crews recommend customers check the water for discoloration before washing clothes.